Panthers put emphasis on speed

The upgraded team speed on offense has been apparent so far in training camp.

Eric Boynton Staff Writer @ericjboynton

The obvious attempt to upgrade Carolina’s overall team speed on the offensive side has been readily apparent so far in training camp.

While many within the franchise believe former receiver Ted Ginn Jr. was arguably the fastest they've seen (including Ginn when you asked him), his departure has been mitigated by multiple thoroughbreds.

“We’ve got a few guys that can run,” coach Ron Rivera said. “I think we’d have a pretty good track team, but we’re a little more concerned about football.”

When asked if it was the most team speed on the roster since he began his tenure in 2011, Rivera replied, “I would think so. I still think Teddy Ginn is probably one of the fastest guys I’ve ever been around, but we’ve got a couple of guys who would probably be real close to him.”

Funny thing about speed, you know it the minute you see it, but it’s a well-guarded secret among NFL players just who runs the fastest. The strongest, smartest, and even the most hard-working teammate, guys don’t mind serving up that information. But the fastest? Good luck getting an answer other than “me.”

Former North Carolina State receiver Trevor Graham knows his route to sticking on an NFL roster in his fourth season is directly tied to his speed.

“I’m not going to shy away from it, I’m probably one of the fastest people in the NFL,” he said. “Speed is what I bring to the team and that’s what I’ve got to show.”

Former South Carolina receiver Damiere Byrd, who was a highly decorated track performer during his high school days in New Jersey before running track his early years in college, might be the fastest Panther, and he certainly wasn’t about to declare otherwise.

“I think that might be a rhetorical question,” Byrd responded when asked if he was indeed the top guy. “I’m never going to say anybody else is faster than me.”

Byrd, who ran a 4.28 at USC’s 2015 Pro Day, acknowledged the only way to settle the matter is for teammates to race, but while he had his duels in college behind the scenes, he’s never seen it happen at the pro level. And you know he’s not lying, since the victor would still be chirping about it.

Carolina defensive back Ray Bradberry puts Byrd, Graham and UNC Charlotte rookie Austin Duke as his three fastest, adding, “If you are faster than me, I could see how you would be fast.”

So, even defensive guys aren’t immune to refusing to give someone else props over their own speed.

No matter who would actually win the argument of fastest Panther, there’s no debate the infusion of speed this season should pay big dividends. In addition to the free-agent signings of Duke and Graham, the team also brought aboard former Tampa Bay receiver Russell Shepard in addition to drafting running back Christian McCaffrey and receiver Curtis Samuel with their first two picks.

For an offense whose main wide-outs are 6-foot-5, 245-pound Kelvin Benjamin and 6-foot-4, 225-pound Devin Funchess, the added quickness was a must. Also factor in the leading overall pass catcher was tight end Greg Olsen and the featured back a bruising Jonathan Stewart, and Carolina now has the blueprint to totally overhaul its offensive approach.

“You watch tape and there are dudes just flying, and there’s tons of them," linebacker Luke Kuechly said. "That’s good for us. Speed creates space, it creates problems. It scares people. That helps everyone else out. It’s fun to see they’re on our team, but it’s also kind of scary when you practice against them every day.”

The Panthers ranked 16th in the NFL last season with 75 plays totaling over 10 yards rushing and 25 yards passing. Once the roster is cut down to 53 to begin the season, it remains to be seen just how many of the elite speedsters make the final cut, but there’s no doubt the team will be faster overall than years past.

“Speed kills,” McCaffrey said. “Anytime you can add speed to an offense, guys with big-play ability, it stresses the defense a little more. We have the weapons. It’s going to come down to us executing, being able to play together and get in a rhythm, and go fast.”